Meeting you was the craziest thing. I had plans, and I had backup plans. I knew what I wanted. And then you showed up.

You didn't enter quietly, either. You weren't shy or awkward. You approached me with certainty and also with respect. I wasn't interested at first, and you backed away. You let me eventually come to you, which is the last thing I'd ever expected to do at that time. But sometimes, those winding roads take you where you need to go.

In the months that we were seeing each other, your daily communication reminded me that I can be a priority to someone. Your questions about me and our sharing of the littlest details of our life created a close friendship I didn't know I needed. Your boundaries that you put up, which I admit frustrated me at times, showed me the strength of a connection without a physical relationship. You were open and honest and always communicated, so I always knew what was on your mind. You were everything that the last several never were.

It didn't work out between us because ultimately, you didn't have a place in your life for something new. I think I knew this early on. But I chose to hold on for awhile, and I don't regret it. Thank you for pushing me to raise my standards again, to not waste time on friends or flames that don't make an effort to be around, and to love myself exactly as I am. Regrets, mistakes, doubts and all. I am a stronger person because of you.

In all honesty, I do occasionally wish things would have turned out differently. But things happen for a reason. You can never fight for someone to choose you, you can simply take what they've taught you and move forward.

"Deep down I knew that it was too good to be true. But every piece and part of me wanted to believe in you. Now it's happily ever never, guess now I know better." — Kelsea Ballerini, "Peter Pan"